It turned out that Neuro was not the only person highly upset about the news. When word trickled down through the compound before the event, Zoro was less than pleased. This time, however, he didn't get drunk and languish in his room but actively sought out the cause of his upheaval.
That evening the door to the security offices banged open with such force the wood splintered around the edges.
Aizawa sighed. This was not going to be easy and in fact, he would much rather face the demon again. Nonetheless, he sat up straighter in his chair and peered across his desk at the fuming swordsman. "Yes?"
"Spill it. Why's she going out with you?"
"Because she wanted to." He reached into his scarves and brought out his eye drops.
"No way," Zoro grated through clenched teeth. "She only went with the perverted cook for a reason. And she never goes on dates. So what gives?"
Aizawa carefully squeezed the drops in his eyes and blinked through the soothing liquid to stare dolefully at the larger man. "We decided we wanted a relationship. This will be an informal announcement of our status."
"Damn it!" Zoro slammed his fist on the desk, causing coffee to slop out of a half full mug on the end.
"I am in no way forced to tell you anything," the other reminded him. "I'm doing so out of courtesy as well as respect for your years of excellent service."
"It's only one date, then," he said firmly.
"Our first in public," he said quietly. "Please don't make this any harder than it has to be. I'm not like the cook; Ches wasn't pressured into doing this. She chose me."
"The hell she did."
"Whatever you like." He shrugged. "Just don't upset her, or we'll have to come to more serious terms than talking." His phone rang, and he glanced at it before picking it up. The volume was loud enough so that both of them heard Elly on the other end.
"You're late for dinner, Sho. What's going on? Everything okay?"
"Fine," he replied calmly. "I'm sorry, my queen. I'll be right over. Remember, I had a lot of paperwork to clear."
"Mmphf. All right. You can apologize to me ... later." There was a subtle undercurrent in her voice that caused Zoro's heart to sink.
"As you wish," he replied with an odd smile on his lips.
"Shota!"
"I will be there in approximately a quarter of an hour."
"Okay. It's gonna be outside, dress warm."
Zoro stared hopelessly at the dark haired man as he tugged on his capture weapon, loosening it from about his neck. "So, if you'll excuse me, I need to change before dinner." He walked past him without another word, waving to the guards seated outside.
"Eh? Why's the big guy not with you?" Knuckles craned his neck around from where he was sitting at the social desk set up for staff. Most were on patrol but there was always a contingency in the main offices.
"He's having a moment. Make sure he leaves and doesn't touch anything in my office... though I doubt he would. You never know, though." He nodded to the rest of the stunned faces and left to head back to his room so he could change before dinner.
"I ain't going in there," the bright red echidna muttered. "He just acted like nothing happened, but we all heard that shit."
"Boss says we're supposed to check." Chris Redfield looked up from his laptop with mild disapproval. "We check."
"Pfft! Easy for you to say. You're about as big as he is!"
"You're covered in poky crap," Gan Ning pointed out in the corner, quite literally shoving his cutlass at the bristling red spires poking out of Knuckles' back.
"Look, I'm not chicken shit, but that guy can get mean where Els' is concerned."
"True, but he's got honor. He wouldn't attack a fellow mate."
Shaking his head, Chris got up. "Yeah. Won't matter if he's pissed enough, I think." He was wary, but he had mediated a few scraps like this during the recent Sanji fiasco, so he poked his head in. Zoro was standing there, slumped over in an awkward position.
"I know," he said gruffly before Chris could even speak. "I'm going."
"Sorry."
"Yeah." He left looking so strange that the others all frowned at each other for a long time when he was gone.
Aizawa decided not to mention the altercation to Elly at all. He thought about it as he quickly showered and changed, tossing his gear aside for more comfortable garments. He chose a soft gray shirt and darker slacks. Scuffing his way to the door in his favorite worn sandals while tying his black hair back in a long, flowing ponytail, he paused. A large grin slowly spread across his face. He went back to the bathroom and pulled it up, tying it securely in the back.
Sanji had indeed set one of the tables outside so they could eat on the deck. It was dark enough so the soft glow of the pool lights and the little ones underneath the big umbrella by the table were lit.
Aizawa slid the glass doors opened and walked out, glad he had chosen a long-sleeved shirt. Elly was seated in her favorite spot watching the ocean in the distance as her tail twitched happily behind her. She had a thin sweater on to ward off the cool weather and it had slipped over one shoulder as she bent over to stretch. He walked quietly over and gently pulled it back up.
"Hi."
"Hi, Sho."
"Outside, huh?"
"Yeah. He plans a lot of neat stuff." Her ears pricked forward attentively as she noticed his slightly altered appearance.
"Would it be more acceptable to tie my hair like this for the dinner?" He pointed at the bun. "It is for events back home, but here it may be different."
"No, it's fine," she murmured, her hand reaching out, then freezing halfway. "I usually dress traditionally, too. People expect it, I think. Besides, I like your hair like that. A lot."
"Oh?" He leveled the full weight of a rare, soft smile at her and took her hand in his.
"Yes." Elly miaowed lowly, still surprised he could flip from the laconic, scruffy man during the day to one so warm and inviting when he chose. She was surprised even more by his reaction, not understanding why he suddenly gasped, his cheeks burning.
"You have no idea what you do to me," he sighed shakily.
"I may have a little idea." She squeezed his hand.
He sat down in the chair next to her. "Did he say when -"
"Dinner's ready," Sanji cleared his throat softly, noticing how close the two were. He placed a tray with an amazing array of fresh seafood dishes on the table as they turned back to it.
"Hooray!"
"Hope you don't mind a lot of fish dishes," he said to Aizawa. "Since we're so close and she loves them so much, I tend to make a lot of them."
"It's fine. I really have no preference in food, as long as it's nourishing."
"Great."
"But you don't like sweet things. Right?" Elly handed him a bucket of clams so he could pick first.
He raised one eyebrow and used the tongs on the table to scoop a portion onto his dish. "Sweet foods, not sweet things."
"Aw."
He grinned at her.
There were clams, crab and a small serving of fish, all local. The vegetable was corn on the cob, and she was ecstatic for some odd reason that he found absolutely enthralling. In fact, he forgot himself as he watched her, not paying attention to where the messy food was ending up.
"Hey, you've got some of the - on your -- " She giggled, pointing at his upper lip. "Here, stay still. I'll get it."
He leaned over while she wiped his stubbled mustache off. "Thank you."
"You're scruffier this evening."
He touched his face as if to confirm this. "Yes, well... I thought it would be best if I shaved as close to the dinner as possible. I'll do it tomorrow."
"Sounds like a plan."
Monday, July 29, 2019
Friday, July 26, 2019
Moy Mell 39
"Hey, dipshit." Neuro's face was split in a huge grin that was not humanly possible. He had materialized inside Zoro's room at the dormitory and had been tormenting him for several hours. The green haired man remained in bed, firmly asserting his sleeping state. "I have it on the very best authority that your 'stupid cat' isn't yours any more."
A snort from the bed was the only response, and yet because it was the only response he had gotten he knew he was on the right track.
"You humans are so ridiculous. She's a demon, not one of your kind. If you wanted her, you should have taken the chance when you had it. You're all just toys to us in the long run, but at least you would have been played with for a while."
Zoro snapped. "Don't talk about her that way!" He snarled, his hand shooting out to grasp where the demon's throat should have been. He cursed when he looked around his now-empty room. "Coward," he muttered angrily. He sat up in bed, glancing at the window. It was nearly time to get up. He had taken to sleeping in but he couldn't do more than a few hours at a time due to his previous schedule.
Back at the security offices, Aizawa rubbed at his eyes with one hand. He had been staring moodily at his laptop all morning, ensconced in his office since dawn. The tabloids had been active as Neuro had informed them, but nothing else seemed to be out of place. No word on the elusive cult at all. He wasn't even certain they would be back since he didn't know their motive. Perhaps it had been a test to see if she would hurt people, and she had passed. There was really nothing to do but research as much as possible and be on their guard.
He sighed. He had skipped breakfast this morning to dig deeper into the files and see if he could come up with anything. Elly had been understanding but had insisted he come back to her by lunch. Since their movie night, their relationship had changed and neither wanted to fumble their growing bond. He checked his watch and found it was close to eleven, so he had better get going.
She greeted him warmly when he set foot in the kitchen, taking his hand and pulling him to the corner table instead of the counter.
"I made lunch for us. Some different kinds of sushi and some sashimi, like back where we both came from."
Aizawa raised his eyebrows at the veritable feast spread on the table for just the two of them. "You went through all this trouble for me?"
"It's not really trouble. I can cook, and enjoy it from time to time. It's just with Sanji here, it seems silly. I'm often too busy and I'm not as good as he is."
"I think I might like your food better anyway," he said quietly.
She blushed and gestured for him to sit down.
"There's been a lot of talk about the new addition to the aquarium. You're dedicating it, correct?" He stared down at the food, his mouth twitching with the hint of a smile at the thought of discussing live fish over a sushi lunch.
"Yeah. You'll want to be there - it's this next Wednesday, at - ah, hell. I forgot the time." She slipped her phone out and checked. "Eleven-thirty. Coincides with school activities so we'll get a lot of kids."
"Huh." He helped himself to some eel roll and a couple of pieces of fatty tuna.
"There's going to be an after hours party there for the fundraisers, by the way."
"Oh?" He thought he saw where this was going. "Do you need an escort?"
She coughed with embarrassment. "I would like a formal date for the evening. If, that is, you want to be seen in public that way."
He chewed reflectively for awhile. "Mmn. Are you talking about people mistaking us for a couple, or do you want to know if I consider us one already?"
"Damn it, you're exasperating sometimes." She sank her teeth into a large octopus tentacle. "You know what I'm asking. You're not that dense."
He chuckled. "Perhaps. All right, Ches, calm down." He set his hand lightly on hers when her ears laid back in irritation. "I'm teasing you, but also nervous about it. Are we a couple? We go everywhere together, eat meals, and have even slept together - although not in that way." He added that last part quickly. "Those things usually mean people are in a serious relationship. But I'm your head bodyguard. Didn't the others do some of that, too? Am I different?"
Elly frowned, hurt. "No one else ever used my real name, bound a promise with me or slept with me at night. I thought - I thought the other night, that meant..."
He grasped her hand tighter in his. "I'm screwing this up. Look, I want us to be together. I honestly wanted to know. Also, I was afraid of asking to be exclusive - that you would think I was being too forceful."
"Ohhh." Her expression cleared. "Don't scare me like that! I thought - I thought you didn't want..." She trailed off, biting her lip to stop the flow of words.
"You thought I didn't want you?" He snorted. "Don't be absurd. I might not be able to express myself correctly now and then, but please do not doubt my commitment."
"I'm sorry."
"Are you ready, then, to go with me to the dinner, thereby announcing we're a couple?"
"That's what I was asking you," she spluttered in exasperation.
"Yes."
"Yes?"
He grinned that special creepy grin at her. "Neuro is going to have a fit," he predicted.
"Oh, dear. I almost forgot about the PR storm this will create. The media will most likely compare us to the last time I dated." She wrinkled her nose in distaste and dropped her voice since Sanji's room was off the kitchen. It was a long way away, but she felt bad and didn't want even the chance that he might hear. "I hate to say it, but I was wrong then. It worked, but I shouldn't have been with Sanji. It's definitely going to come up."
"Can the cook handle it?"
"Him? Oh, yes. We've talked a lot since then. We're very good friends, nothing more."
"You'll still have to discuss it with Neuro, though. He's going to have to deal with the aftermath."
Elly rubbed at one of her ears, then the other. "Well... so will you. I know you don't like being in the public eye, but people are going to want to know about you."
He shrugged. "We'll work something out. I would rather be with you than without, no matter what."
She smiled. "That's a nice thing to say."
Neuro was near livid when he found out, although he kept his ravings to the dark dimension and not on the earth. He broke through quite a few random objects and some random imps' limbs in his tantrum. When he calmed down, he figured he had better make the best of a terrible scenario and face the fact that she was going to do what she wanted.
"Hellfire," he snarled, a wisp of smoke curling from his beak. He truly believed she was headed for the worst possible outcome. Whenever people were involved too deeply with their kind without contracts favoring the dark forces, chaos reigned. He knew far too many demons that had been banished, injured mentally and physically, or enslaved for an indefinite period of time because they trusted a human. More often than not, it was because they had fallen in love with one of the blasted things.
A snort from the bed was the only response, and yet because it was the only response he had gotten he knew he was on the right track.
"You humans are so ridiculous. She's a demon, not one of your kind. If you wanted her, you should have taken the chance when you had it. You're all just toys to us in the long run, but at least you would have been played with for a while."
Zoro snapped. "Don't talk about her that way!" He snarled, his hand shooting out to grasp where the demon's throat should have been. He cursed when he looked around his now-empty room. "Coward," he muttered angrily. He sat up in bed, glancing at the window. It was nearly time to get up. He had taken to sleeping in but he couldn't do more than a few hours at a time due to his previous schedule.
Back at the security offices, Aizawa rubbed at his eyes with one hand. He had been staring moodily at his laptop all morning, ensconced in his office since dawn. The tabloids had been active as Neuro had informed them, but nothing else seemed to be out of place. No word on the elusive cult at all. He wasn't even certain they would be back since he didn't know their motive. Perhaps it had been a test to see if she would hurt people, and she had passed. There was really nothing to do but research as much as possible and be on their guard.
He sighed. He had skipped breakfast this morning to dig deeper into the files and see if he could come up with anything. Elly had been understanding but had insisted he come back to her by lunch. Since their movie night, their relationship had changed and neither wanted to fumble their growing bond. He checked his watch and found it was close to eleven, so he had better get going.
She greeted him warmly when he set foot in the kitchen, taking his hand and pulling him to the corner table instead of the counter.
"I made lunch for us. Some different kinds of sushi and some sashimi, like back where we both came from."
Aizawa raised his eyebrows at the veritable feast spread on the table for just the two of them. "You went through all this trouble for me?"
"It's not really trouble. I can cook, and enjoy it from time to time. It's just with Sanji here, it seems silly. I'm often too busy and I'm not as good as he is."
"I think I might like your food better anyway," he said quietly.
She blushed and gestured for him to sit down.
"There's been a lot of talk about the new addition to the aquarium. You're dedicating it, correct?" He stared down at the food, his mouth twitching with the hint of a smile at the thought of discussing live fish over a sushi lunch.
"Yeah. You'll want to be there - it's this next Wednesday, at - ah, hell. I forgot the time." She slipped her phone out and checked. "Eleven-thirty. Coincides with school activities so we'll get a lot of kids."
"Huh." He helped himself to some eel roll and a couple of pieces of fatty tuna.
"There's going to be an after hours party there for the fundraisers, by the way."
"Oh?" He thought he saw where this was going. "Do you need an escort?"
She coughed with embarrassment. "I would like a formal date for the evening. If, that is, you want to be seen in public that way."
He chewed reflectively for awhile. "Mmn. Are you talking about people mistaking us for a couple, or do you want to know if I consider us one already?"
"Damn it, you're exasperating sometimes." She sank her teeth into a large octopus tentacle. "You know what I'm asking. You're not that dense."
He chuckled. "Perhaps. All right, Ches, calm down." He set his hand lightly on hers when her ears laid back in irritation. "I'm teasing you, but also nervous about it. Are we a couple? We go everywhere together, eat meals, and have even slept together - although not in that way." He added that last part quickly. "Those things usually mean people are in a serious relationship. But I'm your head bodyguard. Didn't the others do some of that, too? Am I different?"
Elly frowned, hurt. "No one else ever used my real name, bound a promise with me or slept with me at night. I thought - I thought the other night, that meant..."
He grasped her hand tighter in his. "I'm screwing this up. Look, I want us to be together. I honestly wanted to know. Also, I was afraid of asking to be exclusive - that you would think I was being too forceful."
"Ohhh." Her expression cleared. "Don't scare me like that! I thought - I thought you didn't want..." She trailed off, biting her lip to stop the flow of words.
"You thought I didn't want you?" He snorted. "Don't be absurd. I might not be able to express myself correctly now and then, but please do not doubt my commitment."
"I'm sorry."
"Are you ready, then, to go with me to the dinner, thereby announcing we're a couple?"
"That's what I was asking you," she spluttered in exasperation.
"Yes."
"Yes?"
He grinned that special creepy grin at her. "Neuro is going to have a fit," he predicted.
"Oh, dear. I almost forgot about the PR storm this will create. The media will most likely compare us to the last time I dated." She wrinkled her nose in distaste and dropped her voice since Sanji's room was off the kitchen. It was a long way away, but she felt bad and didn't want even the chance that he might hear. "I hate to say it, but I was wrong then. It worked, but I shouldn't have been with Sanji. It's definitely going to come up."
"Can the cook handle it?"
"Him? Oh, yes. We've talked a lot since then. We're very good friends, nothing more."
"You'll still have to discuss it with Neuro, though. He's going to have to deal with the aftermath."
Elly rubbed at one of her ears, then the other. "Well... so will you. I know you don't like being in the public eye, but people are going to want to know about you."
He shrugged. "We'll work something out. I would rather be with you than without, no matter what."
She smiled. "That's a nice thing to say."
Neuro was near livid when he found out, although he kept his ravings to the dark dimension and not on the earth. He broke through quite a few random objects and some random imps' limbs in his tantrum. When he calmed down, he figured he had better make the best of a terrible scenario and face the fact that she was going to do what she wanted.
"Hellfire," he snarled, a wisp of smoke curling from his beak. He truly believed she was headed for the worst possible outcome. Whenever people were involved too deeply with their kind without contracts favoring the dark forces, chaos reigned. He knew far too many demons that had been banished, injured mentally and physically, or enslaved for an indefinite period of time because they trusted a human. More often than not, it was because they had fallen in love with one of the blasted things.
Tuesday, July 23, 2019
Moy Mell: 38
"Emergency meeting, my ass. The hell we have to meet here, of all places? It's definitely not the scenery." Elly stared distastefully around at the swirling red and purple abyss, riddled with unfathomable sigils and dark, strange sands.
Neuro tilted his head to one side, chattering, his beak snapping quickly as he spoke in a language no human could comprehend. Elly listened tiredly, nodding.
"Yes. I know. There hasn't been any sign of the cult that attacked. The others are concerned, are they?"
He shook himself into his human guise, tugging on his neatly pressed blue suit. "Yes, my lady, they are. A few of us have been taken out over the years - not counting the smaller imps amd the like, of course -- and we are all growing quite..." He paused, looked up at an impossible angle while he thought. "...nervous about this whole ordeal. We might want to buff up your public image again. In case they try to undermine it in the hopes of gaining support."
"Didn't they try that already and fail? Why would they try again?" She turned a pair of softly glowing lavender eyes at him.
Neuro shivered with delight at the sight of her reverting even slightly. "My dear, have you read the tabloids lately? All the petty little gossip is about you, it seems."
She growled, her tail lashing about her legs as she stood. "Humans." She spat the word in disgust.
"Right - right!" He laid an arm across her shoulders and tittered when she snarled, her head changing. He was met with a full display of fangs that he merely grinned at. "It appears the public simply won't stay out of your love life. Really, now, it's all they have. You participate in multiple charity events and you never interact on social media, so nothing can be used against you. Except..."
"I don't date." She snapped this out angrily. "I'm seen with other people but never romantically. Well, except for that distraction. "
Neuro nodded, pouting as she changed back to her more familiar form. "Mm hmm. So they speculate. Cast all these strange little doubts your way. It's why the sham with you and the blond one that cooks went off so well; it was the perfect distraction!"
"Ugh."
"So you chose the wrong one to dally with." He shrugged. "Pick another. They are but playthings to us, after all, and you have so many."
Elly winced. "That's not what I want."
"Yeah, bird brain." A new voice joined them in the little bubble of demonic dimension he had created for them to chat in.
"Ohhhh, my dear. The sex bitch decided to join us. How marvelous."
Bella flicked a wing at him. "She wants real romance. True love."
He made a terrible face. "Love? That's shit. You mean, trust one of them?"
"I know." Elly's shoulders slumped. "That's the part I've been hung up on for a century or so. Hi," she added to her friend.
The succubus laid a comforting hand on her arm. "You're closer than you think. I only pushed you the other day because I thought you needed it. You're terrified of people."
"Should be the other way around," Neuro agreed.
"Look, even though my reputation is moot when it comes to humans due to their prudish nature, I still meet some good ones now and then. You have to take a chance in order to get what you want." Bella curled her whiplike tail around one of her own legs and paused, buffing her bright, shiny red nails on the front of her outfit. "And, as a sex demon, you positively reek of desire for the scruffy one. He's got you good, dear."
"Aizawa."
"Yes."
"I think I'm falling in love with him," she admitted in a scared whisper.
Neuro groaned. "Disgusting."
"I asked him if he wanted to sit up and watch stupid movies all night until we couldn't stay awake."
"Oooh, nice!" Bella grinned at her in approval. "Y'all get cozy in your PJ's, snuggle up and maybe end up falling asleep in his arms."
Elly turned red at this, her eyes huge. "I - I didn't mean..."
"Yes, you did." She giggled wickedly.
"All right. Maybe I thought about it." She sighed, laying her furry ears back. "His arms around me. I used to love when Z -" Her eyes suddenly teared, and she shook her head violently. "What the hell! No. Nope. I'm off to my rooms, everybody. I don't want to be late for this." She concentrated and popped out.
Neuro and Bella stared after her. "She still thinkin' of him, huh?"
"Yeah. Only problem with that idiot was he kept everything bottled up. And still does!" He grinned. "It's so amusing!"
"And by amusing, you mean painful."
"Of course. What else?"
"This is why humans don't like us," she said mildly.
"No shit. The feeling is mutual."
"For some." Bella also snapped back to the other world.
Neuro sighed. "Well. Nothing to it but to check on the scruffy bastard."
Aizawa tugged on his shirt, a little self conscious about wearing such a casual outfit. He had a gray shirt with a black cat on it, and sleep pants with paw prints all over them in matching colors. His feet were stuffed into battered, furry cat slippers with little faces on them and tails where the heels were. He had made a face when she had requested they dress in 'comfortable clothing' for tonight but she insisted. He had to admit that it would be better to be dressed this way if they were to sleep wherever, but this brought up a few other nervous ideas he wasn't quite certain about.
He was lost in thought, scuffing along the hall to her quarters when he found himself suddenly facing the gigantic parrot head of her public relations manager, the only demon in her employ. He had materialized half out of the wall, his curved beak snapping an inch away from his nose.
Aizawa stared at him, unimpressed. "We would work far better together if you would cease trying to intimidate me."
Neuro's parrot eye stared unblinkingly back at him as his bird head jerked about. "That's no fun," he complained.
"Are you only here for fun?"
He snickered. "Demons generally do that, you know." He grew serious then, and he stared hard at the man. "Except our little cat. She wants something else - and it appears she may have chosen you to dispense it."
At any other time Neuro would have been pleased to startle the tired-looking guardian. He watched him step back, his gray eyes widening slightly. "Wait, what are you saying?"
"Hmph. Got your attention, did I? She would quite possibly tear my feathers off if I tattled, so that's all I can say. Know this, though: I don't trust humans and I don't like them."
"We don't have to like or trust each other to work together, as long as our objective is the same, I suppose. I'm keeping as much of an eye on you as you are me. Do not forget our main goal is to protect her." He fixed a firm stare on the demon, his own eyes glowing red as the back of the bun he had tied his dark hair into flew upright. "If you ever do anything that puts her in danger I will make you extremely sorry."
A yawn from the doorway caused them both to turn around. Neuro hurriedly stuffed himself back into the wall so she didn't see him as he technically was not allowed here.
Elly stood there, dressed in sweatpants and a soft t-shirt. She was rubbing at her eyes, a blanket draped over her arm. "C'mon, Shota, I thought we were going to stay up and watch cheesy movies tonight."
"Coming, my queen."
"You like movies?" Neuro's disembodied voice seemed surprised the somewhat boring man had a hobby.
"I like her," he replied with a grin. "The movies are secondary to the pleasure of sitting up with her late at night. Now, get out or I'll tell her you violated the rules and showed up here."
He left behind a ghostly cackle as Aizawa crossed the threshold into her suite.
The rooms had a giant section off to one side with a large television and piles of stuffed animals, beanbags, and cushions. This is where they were headed. She had placed a small selection of snacks out as well on a table nearby.
"Drinks and other food are in the fridge, there," she motioned where there was a tiny kitchenette. "And a microwave. It's simple, but it gets the job done in a pinch."
He nodded, choosing a huge cat beanbag and sinking down into it with a sigh. Elly smiled. She had pulled her favorite - a giant, fluffy narwhal -- up to that one, knowing he would pick it.
"What are we watching?"
"Is there anything you want to..?"
It was his turn to grin as he held his phone up for her to see.
She knelt by his side and read the article title of the website shown. "25 great movies for cat lovers."
His grin grew wider.
Elly burst out laughing, and laid her forehead on his shoulder in defeat. "Okay, okay! Pick one and we'll load it up."
They were halfway into a horror movie where cats defeated vampires when she felt his arm gently wrap around her shoulders. Purring, she leaned into the embrace, cuddling against his warm side.
"Your shirt is so soft."
He absolutely did not know what to say to that. Some sort of noise emanated from him but it was nothing resembling words. They watched the rest of the movie, cheering the cats madly on as they helped the humans and won in the end.
When it was over he turned to her, rubbing her shoulder gently. "Hey. You still awake?"
"Mmn hmm. You sleepy yet?"
He chuckled drily. "I'm always tired."
"Aww. Why is that? Your eyes..." She twisted slightly so she could touch his cheek. "They're always bloodshot."
Aizawa swallowed hard past the lump that had formed in his throat. "My power causes me to have a continuous case of dry eye."
"Oh. Is it painful?" Her brow furrowed as she traced around them.
"Sometimes. It's mostly just annoying." He paused, grasping her wrist gently but firmly. "Ches, I need to ask you something."
"Uh." Her ears snapped upright as if she realized what she had been doing. "S - sorry!" She jerked her hand to take it back, but he held her fast.
"Are you afraid of me at all? We talked about humans and how they hurt you before. I'm worried that distrust goes deeper and you might be frightened of all people, including me."
She startled to tremble, but his gaze was genuinely concerned and his touch on her wrist remained soft. He simply restrained her so she couldn't move her right hand. It rested on his face where she had been absently caressing him.
"I - I don't know, exactly. In some way, yes. But not like the others, if that makes sense? I... oh, shit." She miaowed softly and his hold on her abruptly loosened. "I don't really want to say how I feel."
When she focused on him again she saw the reason he had dropped his grip. His gray eyes were glazed over and there was a pronounced burn that was spreading as she watched across his cheeks and the bridge of his nose. His ears were red as well.
"Sh - Shota?"
He shook his head mutely, reaching over with a shaking hand towards her head. She saw where he was moving and ducked down, allowing him acess. Aizawa rested his hand on her head and lightly rubbed her furry ears. After a few minutes he spoke, his normally calm voice quavering. "I have my own fears," he murmured. "I am not an emotional man but I'm afraid to frighten you further."
Elly bit her lip and took a chance, her heart hammering terribly in her chest. "Please, Shota. I need -" She choked back what she had been about to say, shocked at herself.
He saw this and guessed. "Me? Is that it? Ches, do you need ... me?"
"Of course I do," she mumbled shyly. "You're my head bodyguard."
"Please tell me that isn't all I am to you." His hand slipped and cupped the side of her face, urging her to look at him. Her eyes were teary and she looked positively terrified. "I don't mean to scare you, but please..."
"That isn't it." She bit her lip, shaking harder.
"Don't be upset." He pulled her into a fierce embrace, causing her to gasp. It was the first time she had been held so tightly in a very long time. "I'm glad. That's all I need to hear right now."
He was warm, and his shirt was, as she had noticed before, well worn and velvety soft. Elly closed her eyes and breathed in his coffee and energy drink scent, relaxing in his arms. He said nothing else, and as it was late, she fell asleep soon after.
Aizawa settled back in the beanbag and closed his eyes, listening to her steady breathing with a soft smile on his stunned but happy face.
Neuro tilted his head to one side, chattering, his beak snapping quickly as he spoke in a language no human could comprehend. Elly listened tiredly, nodding.
"Yes. I know. There hasn't been any sign of the cult that attacked. The others are concerned, are they?"
He shook himself into his human guise, tugging on his neatly pressed blue suit. "Yes, my lady, they are. A few of us have been taken out over the years - not counting the smaller imps amd the like, of course -- and we are all growing quite..." He paused, looked up at an impossible angle while he thought. "...nervous about this whole ordeal. We might want to buff up your public image again. In case they try to undermine it in the hopes of gaining support."
"Didn't they try that already and fail? Why would they try again?" She turned a pair of softly glowing lavender eyes at him.
Neuro shivered with delight at the sight of her reverting even slightly. "My dear, have you read the tabloids lately? All the petty little gossip is about you, it seems."
She growled, her tail lashing about her legs as she stood. "Humans." She spat the word in disgust.
"Right - right!" He laid an arm across her shoulders and tittered when she snarled, her head changing. He was met with a full display of fangs that he merely grinned at. "It appears the public simply won't stay out of your love life. Really, now, it's all they have. You participate in multiple charity events and you never interact on social media, so nothing can be used against you. Except..."
"I don't date." She snapped this out angrily. "I'm seen with other people but never romantically. Well, except for that distraction. "
Neuro nodded, pouting as she changed back to her more familiar form. "Mm hmm. So they speculate. Cast all these strange little doubts your way. It's why the sham with you and the blond one that cooks went off so well; it was the perfect distraction!"
"Ugh."
"So you chose the wrong one to dally with." He shrugged. "Pick another. They are but playthings to us, after all, and you have so many."
Elly winced. "That's not what I want."
"Yeah, bird brain." A new voice joined them in the little bubble of demonic dimension he had created for them to chat in.
"Ohhhh, my dear. The sex bitch decided to join us. How marvelous."
Bella flicked a wing at him. "She wants real romance. True love."
He made a terrible face. "Love? That's shit. You mean, trust one of them?"
"I know." Elly's shoulders slumped. "That's the part I've been hung up on for a century or so. Hi," she added to her friend.
The succubus laid a comforting hand on her arm. "You're closer than you think. I only pushed you the other day because I thought you needed it. You're terrified of people."
"Should be the other way around," Neuro agreed.
"Look, even though my reputation is moot when it comes to humans due to their prudish nature, I still meet some good ones now and then. You have to take a chance in order to get what you want." Bella curled her whiplike tail around one of her own legs and paused, buffing her bright, shiny red nails on the front of her outfit. "And, as a sex demon, you positively reek of desire for the scruffy one. He's got you good, dear."
"Aizawa."
"Yes."
"I think I'm falling in love with him," she admitted in a scared whisper.
Neuro groaned. "Disgusting."
"I asked him if he wanted to sit up and watch stupid movies all night until we couldn't stay awake."
"Oooh, nice!" Bella grinned at her in approval. "Y'all get cozy in your PJ's, snuggle up and maybe end up falling asleep in his arms."
Elly turned red at this, her eyes huge. "I - I didn't mean..."
"Yes, you did." She giggled wickedly.
"All right. Maybe I thought about it." She sighed, laying her furry ears back. "His arms around me. I used to love when Z -" Her eyes suddenly teared, and she shook her head violently. "What the hell! No. Nope. I'm off to my rooms, everybody. I don't want to be late for this." She concentrated and popped out.
Neuro and Bella stared after her. "She still thinkin' of him, huh?"
"Yeah. Only problem with that idiot was he kept everything bottled up. And still does!" He grinned. "It's so amusing!"
"And by amusing, you mean painful."
"Of course. What else?"
"This is why humans don't like us," she said mildly.
"No shit. The feeling is mutual."
"For some." Bella also snapped back to the other world.
Neuro sighed. "Well. Nothing to it but to check on the scruffy bastard."
Aizawa tugged on his shirt, a little self conscious about wearing such a casual outfit. He had a gray shirt with a black cat on it, and sleep pants with paw prints all over them in matching colors. His feet were stuffed into battered, furry cat slippers with little faces on them and tails where the heels were. He had made a face when she had requested they dress in 'comfortable clothing' for tonight but she insisted. He had to admit that it would be better to be dressed this way if they were to sleep wherever, but this brought up a few other nervous ideas he wasn't quite certain about.
He was lost in thought, scuffing along the hall to her quarters when he found himself suddenly facing the gigantic parrot head of her public relations manager, the only demon in her employ. He had materialized half out of the wall, his curved beak snapping an inch away from his nose.
Aizawa stared at him, unimpressed. "We would work far better together if you would cease trying to intimidate me."
Neuro's parrot eye stared unblinkingly back at him as his bird head jerked about. "That's no fun," he complained.
"Are you only here for fun?"
He snickered. "Demons generally do that, you know." He grew serious then, and he stared hard at the man. "Except our little cat. She wants something else - and it appears she may have chosen you to dispense it."
At any other time Neuro would have been pleased to startle the tired-looking guardian. He watched him step back, his gray eyes widening slightly. "Wait, what are you saying?"
"Hmph. Got your attention, did I? She would quite possibly tear my feathers off if I tattled, so that's all I can say. Know this, though: I don't trust humans and I don't like them."
"We don't have to like or trust each other to work together, as long as our objective is the same, I suppose. I'm keeping as much of an eye on you as you are me. Do not forget our main goal is to protect her." He fixed a firm stare on the demon, his own eyes glowing red as the back of the bun he had tied his dark hair into flew upright. "If you ever do anything that puts her in danger I will make you extremely sorry."
A yawn from the doorway caused them both to turn around. Neuro hurriedly stuffed himself back into the wall so she didn't see him as he technically was not allowed here.
Elly stood there, dressed in sweatpants and a soft t-shirt. She was rubbing at her eyes, a blanket draped over her arm. "C'mon, Shota, I thought we were going to stay up and watch cheesy movies tonight."
"Coming, my queen."
"You like movies?" Neuro's disembodied voice seemed surprised the somewhat boring man had a hobby.
"I like her," he replied with a grin. "The movies are secondary to the pleasure of sitting up with her late at night. Now, get out or I'll tell her you violated the rules and showed up here."
He left behind a ghostly cackle as Aizawa crossed the threshold into her suite.
The rooms had a giant section off to one side with a large television and piles of stuffed animals, beanbags, and cushions. This is where they were headed. She had placed a small selection of snacks out as well on a table nearby.
"Drinks and other food are in the fridge, there," she motioned where there was a tiny kitchenette. "And a microwave. It's simple, but it gets the job done in a pinch."
He nodded, choosing a huge cat beanbag and sinking down into it with a sigh. Elly smiled. She had pulled her favorite - a giant, fluffy narwhal -- up to that one, knowing he would pick it.
"What are we watching?"
"Is there anything you want to..?"
It was his turn to grin as he held his phone up for her to see.
She knelt by his side and read the article title of the website shown. "25 great movies for cat lovers."
His grin grew wider.
Elly burst out laughing, and laid her forehead on his shoulder in defeat. "Okay, okay! Pick one and we'll load it up."
They were halfway into a horror movie where cats defeated vampires when she felt his arm gently wrap around her shoulders. Purring, she leaned into the embrace, cuddling against his warm side.
"Your shirt is so soft."
He absolutely did not know what to say to that. Some sort of noise emanated from him but it was nothing resembling words. They watched the rest of the movie, cheering the cats madly on as they helped the humans and won in the end.
When it was over he turned to her, rubbing her shoulder gently. "Hey. You still awake?"
"Mmn hmm. You sleepy yet?"
He chuckled drily. "I'm always tired."
"Aww. Why is that? Your eyes..." She twisted slightly so she could touch his cheek. "They're always bloodshot."
Aizawa swallowed hard past the lump that had formed in his throat. "My power causes me to have a continuous case of dry eye."
"Oh. Is it painful?" Her brow furrowed as she traced around them.
"Sometimes. It's mostly just annoying." He paused, grasping her wrist gently but firmly. "Ches, I need to ask you something."
"Uh." Her ears snapped upright as if she realized what she had been doing. "S - sorry!" She jerked her hand to take it back, but he held her fast.
"Are you afraid of me at all? We talked about humans and how they hurt you before. I'm worried that distrust goes deeper and you might be frightened of all people, including me."
She startled to tremble, but his gaze was genuinely concerned and his touch on her wrist remained soft. He simply restrained her so she couldn't move her right hand. It rested on his face where she had been absently caressing him.
"I - I don't know, exactly. In some way, yes. But not like the others, if that makes sense? I... oh, shit." She miaowed softly and his hold on her abruptly loosened. "I don't really want to say how I feel."
When she focused on him again she saw the reason he had dropped his grip. His gray eyes were glazed over and there was a pronounced burn that was spreading as she watched across his cheeks and the bridge of his nose. His ears were red as well.
"Sh - Shota?"
He shook his head mutely, reaching over with a shaking hand towards her head. She saw where he was moving and ducked down, allowing him acess. Aizawa rested his hand on her head and lightly rubbed her furry ears. After a few minutes he spoke, his normally calm voice quavering. "I have my own fears," he murmured. "I am not an emotional man but I'm afraid to frighten you further."
Elly bit her lip and took a chance, her heart hammering terribly in her chest. "Please, Shota. I need -" She choked back what she had been about to say, shocked at herself.
He saw this and guessed. "Me? Is that it? Ches, do you need ... me?"
"Of course I do," she mumbled shyly. "You're my head bodyguard."
"Please tell me that isn't all I am to you." His hand slipped and cupped the side of her face, urging her to look at him. Her eyes were teary and she looked positively terrified. "I don't mean to scare you, but please..."
"That isn't it." She bit her lip, shaking harder.
"Don't be upset." He pulled her into a fierce embrace, causing her to gasp. It was the first time she had been held so tightly in a very long time. "I'm glad. That's all I need to hear right now."
He was warm, and his shirt was, as she had noticed before, well worn and velvety soft. Elly closed her eyes and breathed in his coffee and energy drink scent, relaxing in his arms. He said nothing else, and as it was late, she fell asleep soon after.
Aizawa settled back in the beanbag and closed his eyes, listening to her steady breathing with a soft smile on his stunned but happy face.
Monday, July 22, 2019
Moy Mell: 37
As soon as dawn broke the next morning her phone began ringing incessantly. She snarled in irritation and stuck her hand out of the covers to grab it, swearing faintly when it dropped on the floor. After scrambling frantically for a couple of seconds while she fought against the sheets tangling her arms, she finally had it again.
Grumbling, "This had better be good," under her breath, she checked the call list.
It was her friend, and she knew why she was calling - at least she hoped so. If it was an emergency the succubus would have shown up already.
Elly was not an early morning person but the constant calls snapped her awake. They continued even after she muted them and she realized it was an all out battle for the sex demon, who had decided she was 'helping'. She answered the seventh one after her shower, when she was getting ready for the day.
The succubus wailed loudly on the other end. "Ellyyyy! Don't mute me like that!"
She winced, ears flicking in pain as she pulled a brush through her hair. "I had to! Sheesh, Bella, you kept calling every few minutes!" She placed the phone on her bathroom counter as she brushed her hair. "And you know better than to wake me," she added darkly. "It's too early."
"Sorry. I thought something happened when you didn't answer." She coughed delicately. "Perhaps something of a human nature..?"
"Quit bugging me about him!"
"You have to take care of yourself, sweetie. You can't ignore your needs for too long. It's not healthy!"
"All right, so maybe - just maybe -- he really wants me. What makes you think I want him?!"
"Oh?" Bella's voice took on a mischievous lilt. "Okay, then. You do one thing for me, an' I'll never bother you again about it."
"Thank you!"
"Oh, don't thank me yet." She chuckled wickedly. "I want you to imagine him - naked and hot and sweaty, on top of you while he moans your name. Your true name, since you told me he dropped a bound promise."
Elly froze, her ears slowly falling on either side of her head as her face turned an alarming shade of red. "Hurk."
"If that doesn't turn you on, I'll leave it alone. But if you need a cold shower, honey, I'm going to keep pushing you."
"No! I don't ... wait, this is weird. I feel guilty? Why would I feel that?" She set the brush down and frowned at her reflection in the mirror.
"I can guess. Is it the green one? Does he make you sweat when you think of making out with him, too?"
"Oh nooo," Elly gasped, mortified. "No way."
"I'm'a tell you, sweetie, you waited too long! Now you've got two men you're interested in. You're confused."
"Oh, shit, Bella, what am I gonna do? And don't say 'get some'!"
The succubus laughed warmly on the other end. "Still good advice. Honestly, though? Maybe just talk to them. It could help."
"Talk?! About what? There's nothing to talk about!"
"Aww..."
"I - I can't handle this now. Goodbye, Bella." She tapped off and sighed, rubbing her eyes. "There is no way that ass is interested in me, anyway," she told herself firmly. "Shota, on the other hand, he said he was, right?" She groaned and hid her face in her hands. "Did he? Why do I care?!"
She couldn't stop her mind from running all sorts of embarrassing scenarios and situations while she dressed. When it was time to leave she was cranky, still sleepy, and very troubled. She banged open the door with unnecessary force, struggling to at least appear awake.
Aizawa stood there blinking at her with his bloodshot eyes in the middle of the hall.
"Oh! Uh, s - sorry."
"Not a problem." He shrugged. "Just surprised to see you this early. Good morning."
"Good morning." She grinned nervously, showing both her fangs.
Aizawa raised an eyebrow at her. "Any reason you're up earlier than usual?"
She groaned, her ears flicking to one side. "Bella woke me. I told her never to do it again."
"Is everything okay?"
"Yes!" She flinched a little, blushing. "Fine. Both of us. She's just been, well... being a succubus. It's hard to explain. She means well."
He shrugged, adjusted his capture thread around his neck and moved towards the elevator. "I'm sure she does. Want breakfast?"
"Sanji will be so upset if we don't eat his food." She chuckled. "But, you know, sometimes I just want a simple bowl of cereal or something."
"Agreed." He paused. "I should tell you that you have a visitor waiting for you downstairs in the kitchen."
"I do?"
"I saw him on the monitors in my room."
"I can guess who it is," she grumbled. And yet she was still startled to see Zoro sitting at the counter. He looked like he had slept there. His robe was rumpled, his eye bleary and his swords were leaning against the wall nearby. He straightened when they walked in, adjusting his sash.
Elly balked and rubbed her eyes, not really wanting to talk with him. When Aizawa glanced at her for guidance, however, she shrugged and motioned him away. He left without a further word, slipping off into the hall to wait. She sat on her stool next to the big man.
"What do you want now?" She placed her arms on the counter and hid her face in them. Her ears perked, proof she was listening yet she refused to face him.
He paused, frowning. Now that she was here he wasn't sure how to handle things. "I came to ask if you wanted to do something."
"'Something'?" Her voice was muffled.
He shrugged. "I don't know. Something. Anything."
She lifted her head until just her eyes peered suspiciously out at him. "Zoro?"
"Uh. What?"
"Why?"
He looked confused. "What?"
Elly's eyes hardened a little bit more. "Why do you want to do things with me? You wanted me to leave you alone before - okay, yeah, you said you didn't really want that. I remember." She waved him silent before he could retort. "But why now? Am I fun to be around? Do you miss your job? Do you miss me?"
"Uh."
She waited several long, nerve-wracking minutes before sighing bitterly. "I'm busy. Sorry." She turned and strode off.
"You're not just saying that and going out anyway, are you?"
"No." She stared back at him sadly before heading into the hall after Aizawa. "I'm not leaving the compound today."
The bedroom door at the corner of the kitchen opened and Sanji poked his head out, yawning. "Noisy this morning," he noted blandly.
Zoro grunted and grabbed his swords. He made as if to leave, then thought better of it and stood staring blankly at the hall she had disappeared down. His eye narrowed and he turned to look out the patio doors.
"You know, the crane's been full ever since you left," Sanji observed slyly.
"Whatever."
"Yeah." He dragged deeply on the pen and grunted as the other man stormed out onto the deck. "No one's wanted to play any more anyway."
Elly caught up with Aizawa as he paced the hall. "I need a walk on the beach to clear my head," she said firmly. "Let's go."
He followed her lead looking bemused. The couple didn't know Zoro was close as they passed through because he had ducked into the cabana to cool down, not ready to give up just yet. He figured when she came to breakfast they could talk; she was probably just cranky because she hadn't eaten yet. After about fifteen minutes had passed he poked his head outside and looked around.
Imagine his surprise on seeing two silhouettes standing on the beach. One was small, her tail whipping about in the ocean breeze. The other was taller, deceptively slender and slouched over with its hands in his pockets. It was clear who both of the figures were.
"She said she wasn't going out." He stared incredulously, his hands slowly balling into two huge fists as he watched his rival move closer to her.
"She's still here. A technicality, I suppose, but one that helped shut you down." Sanji knew where the big man had gone and had followed for curiosity's sake.
"She..." Zoro blinked, rendered speechless by what he felt to be a betrayal as they appeared to embrace. His frown grew deeper and he absently rubbed his chest, directly over his heart.
"Sucks, doesn't it. At least I was upfront about how I felt to her. You just can't do it, even when she gives you an opening." Sanji left, sliding the glass door to the house closed behind him.
He thought for a moment, distracted by the figures on the shore. Then he turned, baffled. "Opening?"
On the beach, Elly and her head bodyguard were strolling very slowly down the well-packed sand.
"You look upset," Aizawa said quietly.
"I am," she shrugged. "He keeps coming around. It feels like all he wants - misses -- is the control he had."
Aizawa knew who she meant by 'he', and was interested to note she didn't want to say his name. "He's confused."
"Huh. So am I. I thought he liked me." She swayed on her feet, yawning. "Ugh. Enough about him. I'm tired and cold. It's summer - supposed to be warmer."
"The beach is windy today, though. And you're up earlier than you normally are." He smiled and plucked at the front of the soft gray hoodie he wore. "Would you like my jacket?"
"Won't you be cold?"
"Yes," he said simply. "But I would rather you not be."
"How about..." She stepped closer and bit her lip. "Keep the jacket on. Just hold me."
He wrapped his arms around her. "Better?"
"Much." They stood on the damp sand, watching the waves lap the shoreline. Eventually Elly brought up something she had wanted to know. "I never asked you - why did you choose to work here?"
He shrugged. "I wanted more than the usual hero work for multi-talented humans. Plus, I like cats."
"Is that what you were doing before?"
He nodded. "Protecting multiple people was rewarding enough, but I heard it was different protecting a non-human. And I hadn't expected there to be a cat demon..." He coughed. "I lived on the other side of the world, where you came from originally. I thought if there was one, they would have stayed there."
"Pfft. After I was killed by those who were supposed to care for me and then hunted like a monster when I never acted like one? Who the hell would stay."
Aizawa rubbed at the back of his neck. "Yes. I see that now, but don't you ever get even a little homesick?"
Her eyes clouded over and she stared out at the sea for a long time before answering. "Sometimes I want to go back to the town I lived in, but after awhile I realize all I want are the good memories. And I still have those, though the bad ones outweigh the good. I couldn't go back unless I had someone I really trusted with me. I'm afraid of the people there."
"I'm sorry." His arms tightened around her.
"Thank you." She sighed. "This place is the best for me, I've found. The safest, and I have people around me that care."
"All men," he pointed out.
"Yep. I don't usually mesh well with female humans. They're very, um... it's so sexist to say this and all, and also punny, but..."
"Catty?" His mouth quirked in a grin.
"Yeahhh. In my experience with them they're not honest enough. I'd rather a blunt guy than someone who smiles at me but hates my guts on the inside. Also, my original owner was a woman. I loved her very much." She bit her lip, faltering slightly. "And you know how well that went."
"Is that why it's so hard for you to let your guard down?"
"Shota?"
"Mmm?" Her voice had become very quiet and he bent his head down to her cheek to better hear.
"I, uh. This is embarrassing. Could you carry me back in?"
He started, surprised. "Are you ill? Have you hurt yourself -"
"No." She turned and buried her flaming face in his chest, her hands clutching the sides of his jacket. "Not that way, anyway. I just want this and I'm really tired again. Is it okay?"
He bent and scooped her easily up off the sandy beach. "Very okay. I will do anything for you if you just tell me what you need."
She stifled a sob in the palm of her hand. He walked back up towards the house, silently pondering her reaction. He surmised she wanted to ask several things that seemed, from her standpoint, unlikely she would ever get. As they got closer to the house he braced himself for a confrontation but it appeared the swordsman had already left. Sanji was standing outside instead, vaping with a disgruntled look on his face. He nodded at him and opened the glass doors so he could carry her straight inside.
"I'll wait until she's finished her nap to make anything. Okay?"
"That's fine."
"She just can't stay awake if she gets up too early." The blond man flipped his golden hair with a toss of his head, smiling. "Whatever you do, don't put her back to bed - she's liable to sleep all day."
"We're headed for the couch," Aizawa murmured quietly. He laid her on the soft cushions and sat beside her, nodding when she snuggled up to him. His leg became her pillow as she squirmed around, getting comfortable without fully waking.
"I would gladly fill the hole in your heart if you would let me," he sighed softly. "If you could let go of a couple of things." He brushed a strand of hair off her cheek and sighed. "Your fear and that other man, for starters."
She lay there quietly purring as she slept, unaware of his statement.
Grumbling, "This had better be good," under her breath, she checked the call list.
It was her friend, and she knew why she was calling - at least she hoped so. If it was an emergency the succubus would have shown up already.
Elly was not an early morning person but the constant calls snapped her awake. They continued even after she muted them and she realized it was an all out battle for the sex demon, who had decided she was 'helping'. She answered the seventh one after her shower, when she was getting ready for the day.
The succubus wailed loudly on the other end. "Ellyyyy! Don't mute me like that!"
She winced, ears flicking in pain as she pulled a brush through her hair. "I had to! Sheesh, Bella, you kept calling every few minutes!" She placed the phone on her bathroom counter as she brushed her hair. "And you know better than to wake me," she added darkly. "It's too early."
"Sorry. I thought something happened when you didn't answer." She coughed delicately. "Perhaps something of a human nature..?"
"Quit bugging me about him!"
"You have to take care of yourself, sweetie. You can't ignore your needs for too long. It's not healthy!"
"All right, so maybe - just maybe -- he really wants me. What makes you think I want him?!"
"Oh?" Bella's voice took on a mischievous lilt. "Okay, then. You do one thing for me, an' I'll never bother you again about it."
"Thank you!"
"Oh, don't thank me yet." She chuckled wickedly. "I want you to imagine him - naked and hot and sweaty, on top of you while he moans your name. Your true name, since you told me he dropped a bound promise."
Elly froze, her ears slowly falling on either side of her head as her face turned an alarming shade of red. "Hurk."
"If that doesn't turn you on, I'll leave it alone. But if you need a cold shower, honey, I'm going to keep pushing you."
"No! I don't ... wait, this is weird. I feel guilty? Why would I feel that?" She set the brush down and frowned at her reflection in the mirror.
"I can guess. Is it the green one? Does he make you sweat when you think of making out with him, too?"
"Oh nooo," Elly gasped, mortified. "No way."
"I'm'a tell you, sweetie, you waited too long! Now you've got two men you're interested in. You're confused."
"Oh, shit, Bella, what am I gonna do? And don't say 'get some'!"
The succubus laughed warmly on the other end. "Still good advice. Honestly, though? Maybe just talk to them. It could help."
"Talk?! About what? There's nothing to talk about!"
"Aww..."
"I - I can't handle this now. Goodbye, Bella." She tapped off and sighed, rubbing her eyes. "There is no way that ass is interested in me, anyway," she told herself firmly. "Shota, on the other hand, he said he was, right?" She groaned and hid her face in her hands. "Did he? Why do I care?!"
She couldn't stop her mind from running all sorts of embarrassing scenarios and situations while she dressed. When it was time to leave she was cranky, still sleepy, and very troubled. She banged open the door with unnecessary force, struggling to at least appear awake.
Aizawa stood there blinking at her with his bloodshot eyes in the middle of the hall.
"Oh! Uh, s - sorry."
"Not a problem." He shrugged. "Just surprised to see you this early. Good morning."
"Good morning." She grinned nervously, showing both her fangs.
Aizawa raised an eyebrow at her. "Any reason you're up earlier than usual?"
She groaned, her ears flicking to one side. "Bella woke me. I told her never to do it again."
"Is everything okay?"
"Yes!" She flinched a little, blushing. "Fine. Both of us. She's just been, well... being a succubus. It's hard to explain. She means well."
He shrugged, adjusted his capture thread around his neck and moved towards the elevator. "I'm sure she does. Want breakfast?"
"Sanji will be so upset if we don't eat his food." She chuckled. "But, you know, sometimes I just want a simple bowl of cereal or something."
"Agreed." He paused. "I should tell you that you have a visitor waiting for you downstairs in the kitchen."
"I do?"
"I saw him on the monitors in my room."
"I can guess who it is," she grumbled. And yet she was still startled to see Zoro sitting at the counter. He looked like he had slept there. His robe was rumpled, his eye bleary and his swords were leaning against the wall nearby. He straightened when they walked in, adjusting his sash.
Elly balked and rubbed her eyes, not really wanting to talk with him. When Aizawa glanced at her for guidance, however, she shrugged and motioned him away. He left without a further word, slipping off into the hall to wait. She sat on her stool next to the big man.
"What do you want now?" She placed her arms on the counter and hid her face in them. Her ears perked, proof she was listening yet she refused to face him.
He paused, frowning. Now that she was here he wasn't sure how to handle things. "I came to ask if you wanted to do something."
"'Something'?" Her voice was muffled.
He shrugged. "I don't know. Something. Anything."
She lifted her head until just her eyes peered suspiciously out at him. "Zoro?"
"Uh. What?"
"Why?"
He looked confused. "What?"
Elly's eyes hardened a little bit more. "Why do you want to do things with me? You wanted me to leave you alone before - okay, yeah, you said you didn't really want that. I remember." She waved him silent before he could retort. "But why now? Am I fun to be around? Do you miss your job? Do you miss me?"
"Uh."
She waited several long, nerve-wracking minutes before sighing bitterly. "I'm busy. Sorry." She turned and strode off.
"You're not just saying that and going out anyway, are you?"
"No." She stared back at him sadly before heading into the hall after Aizawa. "I'm not leaving the compound today."
The bedroom door at the corner of the kitchen opened and Sanji poked his head out, yawning. "Noisy this morning," he noted blandly.
Zoro grunted and grabbed his swords. He made as if to leave, then thought better of it and stood staring blankly at the hall she had disappeared down. His eye narrowed and he turned to look out the patio doors.
"You know, the crane's been full ever since you left," Sanji observed slyly.
"Whatever."
"Yeah." He dragged deeply on the pen and grunted as the other man stormed out onto the deck. "No one's wanted to play any more anyway."
Elly caught up with Aizawa as he paced the hall. "I need a walk on the beach to clear my head," she said firmly. "Let's go."
He followed her lead looking bemused. The couple didn't know Zoro was close as they passed through because he had ducked into the cabana to cool down, not ready to give up just yet. He figured when she came to breakfast they could talk; she was probably just cranky because she hadn't eaten yet. After about fifteen minutes had passed he poked his head outside and looked around.
Imagine his surprise on seeing two silhouettes standing on the beach. One was small, her tail whipping about in the ocean breeze. The other was taller, deceptively slender and slouched over with its hands in his pockets. It was clear who both of the figures were.
"She said she wasn't going out." He stared incredulously, his hands slowly balling into two huge fists as he watched his rival move closer to her.
"She's still here. A technicality, I suppose, but one that helped shut you down." Sanji knew where the big man had gone and had followed for curiosity's sake.
"She..." Zoro blinked, rendered speechless by what he felt to be a betrayal as they appeared to embrace. His frown grew deeper and he absently rubbed his chest, directly over his heart.
"Sucks, doesn't it. At least I was upfront about how I felt to her. You just can't do it, even when she gives you an opening." Sanji left, sliding the glass door to the house closed behind him.
He thought for a moment, distracted by the figures on the shore. Then he turned, baffled. "Opening?"
On the beach, Elly and her head bodyguard were strolling very slowly down the well-packed sand.
"You look upset," Aizawa said quietly.
"I am," she shrugged. "He keeps coming around. It feels like all he wants - misses -- is the control he had."
Aizawa knew who she meant by 'he', and was interested to note she didn't want to say his name. "He's confused."
"Huh. So am I. I thought he liked me." She swayed on her feet, yawning. "Ugh. Enough about him. I'm tired and cold. It's summer - supposed to be warmer."
"The beach is windy today, though. And you're up earlier than you normally are." He smiled and plucked at the front of the soft gray hoodie he wore. "Would you like my jacket?"
"Won't you be cold?"
"Yes," he said simply. "But I would rather you not be."
"How about..." She stepped closer and bit her lip. "Keep the jacket on. Just hold me."
He wrapped his arms around her. "Better?"
"Much." They stood on the damp sand, watching the waves lap the shoreline. Eventually Elly brought up something she had wanted to know. "I never asked you - why did you choose to work here?"
He shrugged. "I wanted more than the usual hero work for multi-talented humans. Plus, I like cats."
"Is that what you were doing before?"
He nodded. "Protecting multiple people was rewarding enough, but I heard it was different protecting a non-human. And I hadn't expected there to be a cat demon..." He coughed. "I lived on the other side of the world, where you came from originally. I thought if there was one, they would have stayed there."
"Pfft. After I was killed by those who were supposed to care for me and then hunted like a monster when I never acted like one? Who the hell would stay."
Aizawa rubbed at the back of his neck. "Yes. I see that now, but don't you ever get even a little homesick?"
Her eyes clouded over and she stared out at the sea for a long time before answering. "Sometimes I want to go back to the town I lived in, but after awhile I realize all I want are the good memories. And I still have those, though the bad ones outweigh the good. I couldn't go back unless I had someone I really trusted with me. I'm afraid of the people there."
"I'm sorry." His arms tightened around her.
"Thank you." She sighed. "This place is the best for me, I've found. The safest, and I have people around me that care."
"All men," he pointed out.
"Yep. I don't usually mesh well with female humans. They're very, um... it's so sexist to say this and all, and also punny, but..."
"Catty?" His mouth quirked in a grin.
"Yeahhh. In my experience with them they're not honest enough. I'd rather a blunt guy than someone who smiles at me but hates my guts on the inside. Also, my original owner was a woman. I loved her very much." She bit her lip, faltering slightly. "And you know how well that went."
"Is that why it's so hard for you to let your guard down?"
"Shota?"
"Mmm?" Her voice had become very quiet and he bent his head down to her cheek to better hear.
"I, uh. This is embarrassing. Could you carry me back in?"
He started, surprised. "Are you ill? Have you hurt yourself -"
"No." She turned and buried her flaming face in his chest, her hands clutching the sides of his jacket. "Not that way, anyway. I just want this and I'm really tired again. Is it okay?"
He bent and scooped her easily up off the sandy beach. "Very okay. I will do anything for you if you just tell me what you need."
She stifled a sob in the palm of her hand. He walked back up towards the house, silently pondering her reaction. He surmised she wanted to ask several things that seemed, from her standpoint, unlikely she would ever get. As they got closer to the house he braced himself for a confrontation but it appeared the swordsman had already left. Sanji was standing outside instead, vaping with a disgruntled look on his face. He nodded at him and opened the glass doors so he could carry her straight inside.
"I'll wait until she's finished her nap to make anything. Okay?"
"That's fine."
"She just can't stay awake if she gets up too early." The blond man flipped his golden hair with a toss of his head, smiling. "Whatever you do, don't put her back to bed - she's liable to sleep all day."
"We're headed for the couch," Aizawa murmured quietly. He laid her on the soft cushions and sat beside her, nodding when she snuggled up to him. His leg became her pillow as she squirmed around, getting comfortable without fully waking.
"I would gladly fill the hole in your heart if you would let me," he sighed softly. "If you could let go of a couple of things." He brushed a strand of hair off her cheek and sighed. "Your fear and that other man, for starters."
She lay there quietly purring as she slept, unaware of his statement.
The List: Tickling
"Are you serious about this? The man who rarely laughs?" Aizawa gave her a very steady look, his gray eyes calm. "I know you do for me, baby. I'm just trying to wrap my brain around this one."
He sighed. "There is, I understand, a euphoria one gets if they laugh very hard for a long time. I would like to experience it. I would also like to become so physically weak that you have to, ah, ride me." He coughed and blushed a little.
Aizawa wore only his briefs again. The scar under his eye stood out on his darkening features in the dim light of the battery operated candles they had set out. He had expressed a desire for her to wear a filmy slip of lingerie she had bought awhile back, a black lace bra and panty set. She also had brushed her hair down, the softer tresses framing her pale face. He thought she looked especially lovely.
"Where are you ticklish?" She dragged her fingertips slowly down his neck to his chest, then to the side to wriggle across his ribcage.
Aizawa wheezed slightly. "Okay, a little ... there! Shit, shit!" He burst out laughing as she slipped underneath.
"Oh my god, so cute. Your spot's near your ribs but on your back!" She paused, pursing her lips as he wriggled around on the bed, dragging the covers with him as he went. "I wonder..."
"Oh, no you don't," he gasped and rolled, trying to cover that area. What he did was expose his lower back - exactly what she wanted.
"Ah ha!" Elly's hands ghosted along his spine down to the elastic on his underwear. She tickled him mercilessly and was rewarded with something she assumed no one had ever seen or heard - the laconic man's whooping, dry laughter. It almost sounded like coughing as he grew louder. She stopped a few seconds later to see if he wanted a break but when he caught his breath he shook his head.
"Try lower," was all he said.
"If that's what you want." She brushed his ponytail out of the way and kissed his neck. "Here? Ohhh. Uh oh!"
His heavily muscled thighs were even more sensitive than his back. This time he plunged his face into the pillows, muffling a sound suspiciously like a squeal.
She concentrated on that area, but reached around with one hand to grope the bulge in his briefs. Aizawa jerked forward into her caress, groaning. "Sh - shit, stop! I can't take it anymore!"
"Oh? Then why am I not hearing color names, Sho?"
"Fuck-k-k," he ground out, his face flushed and sweaty with strands of hair sticking to his neck and along his stubbled cheeks. "Ah, fuck. 'Cause I want it. Keep going, and - nmm, yeah. That. Keep rubbing my dick through the briefs. It's good. Too good..."
She grinned, laid her ears to the sides of her head and tackled the task at hand with extra vigor. The touches on his thighs were gentler, the groping rougher. The combination was driving him absolutely wild. He kept laughing, gasping in huge gulps of air, but mingled with the giggles were moans of pleasure.
The briefs were damp from his excitement when he suddenly choked. "Yellow!"
Elly froze. "What's wrong, dear?"
"I - I want to come inside you, and I'm not going to be able to do that if we keep this up."
"Ahh."
"Too excited." He rolled onto his back, holding his arms out with a grumpy frown. She smiled and willingly snuggled into his embrace.
"Just wait a little, and you'll be fine. You still want me on top?"
He sighed and pulled her close, nuzzling at her neck. "Hmm. I did get winded, and my legs feel like rubber. Perhaps it would be easier."
She chuckled. "For you, yes. But I'm happy to oblige."
"Kiss me, then."
"You and your kisses." But she did, purring when he held the sides of her face while they gently wrestled with each other's tongues. "Mmn."
"Take these off," he breathed, pulling her panties down. "I kind of like the top," he told her when she would have stripped completely.
"Okay. Here, now." Angling herself, she straightened his firm member and carefully edged onto him.
"Almost - left, a little... there."
"Oh god, yes." She squeezed her eyes tightly shut, shuddering. "I always forget how good that feels on top." Her striped, double-tipped tail swished behind her.
"Yes," he agreed.
She set the pace, slow for awhile but that soon wasn't enough for Aizawa. He had gotten worked up enough from before.
He grasped the base of her tail, panting hard. "Yes ... harder, my queen. Faster."
She bared her teeth, fangs flashing in the soft light. "God, baby, you know what that does to me!"
His grip tightened and he grinned mischievously up at her. "Got to ... hold on to something," he gasped.
"Hmm!" She strained hard, moving quickly and quite glad she had kept her top on. Otherwise her breasts would have been bouncing more than they were now. Also, her boyfriend appeared entranced by them, encased in the intricate lace bra. He lightly squeezed one in his free hand as she bent to kiss him.
"Close," he hissed. "Here... you, too." He reached towards the junction of their bodies and rubbed the top of her sex in fast, swirling circles.
"Oh, Shota!"
He jerked his hips, bucking up into her as she tightened around him. "Ches!"
They froze for a long moment, arched forwards and back, connected and shivering through their rare joint orgasm. Elly slid off his body quickly, however.
"Bathroom," she choked, making a mad dash while he stared, blinking. After a moment he broke out into another loud laugh, wiping at his eyes with the back of his hand. "Now he laughs," she grumbled from the other room.
"Sorry, Ches. Your face... I couldn't resist."
"Well, just watch out. I know your spots now, mister." He heard her flush and the water running in the sink. "Don't think I won't use that to my advantage!"
"I already know yours," he grinned fiercely.
"Shit. I forgot."
"All's fair, then, as they say. Come and cuddle." He patted the bed next to him.
He sighed. "There is, I understand, a euphoria one gets if they laugh very hard for a long time. I would like to experience it. I would also like to become so physically weak that you have to, ah, ride me." He coughed and blushed a little.
Aizawa wore only his briefs again. The scar under his eye stood out on his darkening features in the dim light of the battery operated candles they had set out. He had expressed a desire for her to wear a filmy slip of lingerie she had bought awhile back, a black lace bra and panty set. She also had brushed her hair down, the softer tresses framing her pale face. He thought she looked especially lovely.
"Where are you ticklish?" She dragged her fingertips slowly down his neck to his chest, then to the side to wriggle across his ribcage.
Aizawa wheezed slightly. "Okay, a little ... there! Shit, shit!" He burst out laughing as she slipped underneath.
"Oh my god, so cute. Your spot's near your ribs but on your back!" She paused, pursing her lips as he wriggled around on the bed, dragging the covers with him as he went. "I wonder..."
"Oh, no you don't," he gasped and rolled, trying to cover that area. What he did was expose his lower back - exactly what she wanted.
"Ah ha!" Elly's hands ghosted along his spine down to the elastic on his underwear. She tickled him mercilessly and was rewarded with something she assumed no one had ever seen or heard - the laconic man's whooping, dry laughter. It almost sounded like coughing as he grew louder. She stopped a few seconds later to see if he wanted a break but when he caught his breath he shook his head.
"Try lower," was all he said.
"If that's what you want." She brushed his ponytail out of the way and kissed his neck. "Here? Ohhh. Uh oh!"
His heavily muscled thighs were even more sensitive than his back. This time he plunged his face into the pillows, muffling a sound suspiciously like a squeal.
She concentrated on that area, but reached around with one hand to grope the bulge in his briefs. Aizawa jerked forward into her caress, groaning. "Sh - shit, stop! I can't take it anymore!"
"Oh? Then why am I not hearing color names, Sho?"
"Fuck-k-k," he ground out, his face flushed and sweaty with strands of hair sticking to his neck and along his stubbled cheeks. "Ah, fuck. 'Cause I want it. Keep going, and - nmm, yeah. That. Keep rubbing my dick through the briefs. It's good. Too good..."
She grinned, laid her ears to the sides of her head and tackled the task at hand with extra vigor. The touches on his thighs were gentler, the groping rougher. The combination was driving him absolutely wild. He kept laughing, gasping in huge gulps of air, but mingled with the giggles were moans of pleasure.
The briefs were damp from his excitement when he suddenly choked. "Yellow!"
Elly froze. "What's wrong, dear?"
"I - I want to come inside you, and I'm not going to be able to do that if we keep this up."
"Ahh."
"Too excited." He rolled onto his back, holding his arms out with a grumpy frown. She smiled and willingly snuggled into his embrace.
"Just wait a little, and you'll be fine. You still want me on top?"
He sighed and pulled her close, nuzzling at her neck. "Hmm. I did get winded, and my legs feel like rubber. Perhaps it would be easier."
She chuckled. "For you, yes. But I'm happy to oblige."
"Kiss me, then."
"You and your kisses." But she did, purring when he held the sides of her face while they gently wrestled with each other's tongues. "Mmn."
"Take these off," he breathed, pulling her panties down. "I kind of like the top," he told her when she would have stripped completely.
"Okay. Here, now." Angling herself, she straightened his firm member and carefully edged onto him.
"Almost - left, a little... there."
"Oh god, yes." She squeezed her eyes tightly shut, shuddering. "I always forget how good that feels on top." Her striped, double-tipped tail swished behind her.
"Yes," he agreed.
She set the pace, slow for awhile but that soon wasn't enough for Aizawa. He had gotten worked up enough from before.
He grasped the base of her tail, panting hard. "Yes ... harder, my queen. Faster."
She bared her teeth, fangs flashing in the soft light. "God, baby, you know what that does to me!"
His grip tightened and he grinned mischievously up at her. "Got to ... hold on to something," he gasped.
"Hmm!" She strained hard, moving quickly and quite glad she had kept her top on. Otherwise her breasts would have been bouncing more than they were now. Also, her boyfriend appeared entranced by them, encased in the intricate lace bra. He lightly squeezed one in his free hand as she bent to kiss him.
"Close," he hissed. "Here... you, too." He reached towards the junction of their bodies and rubbed the top of her sex in fast, swirling circles.
"Oh, Shota!"
He jerked his hips, bucking up into her as she tightened around him. "Ches!"
They froze for a long moment, arched forwards and back, connected and shivering through their rare joint orgasm. Elly slid off his body quickly, however.
"Bathroom," she choked, making a mad dash while he stared, blinking. After a moment he broke out into another loud laugh, wiping at his eyes with the back of his hand. "Now he laughs," she grumbled from the other room.
"Sorry, Ches. Your face... I couldn't resist."
"Well, just watch out. I know your spots now, mister." He heard her flush and the water running in the sink. "Don't think I won't use that to my advantage!"
"I already know yours," he grinned fiercely.
"Shit. I forgot."
"All's fair, then, as they say. Come and cuddle." He patted the bed next to him.
Thursday, July 18, 2019
Flirt Wars: Zoro (3)
"Go ahead. Touch it. I dare you!"
"No <i>way</i>. You saw what she did to that drunk ass at the last tavern, right? Tore his face damn clean off!"
"She did?!" Chopper's eyes grew huge.
"Yeah, she said nobody touches it!"
Ussopp mimed pulling his skin off from the cheek. "And then he went like this - "
"Eww, gross!" The little reindeer squealed.
"What're you idiots talking about." Zoro stomped over from the tree where he had been napping. "You're too loud."
"Oh. Uh... " They stared at each other, then grinned mischievously. "We were daring each other to go touch her tail."
Elly stood up straight and yawned. She shook herself and headed back inside.
"Is <i>that</i> all? What's the big deal about that?" He raised an eyebrow and reached out in one fluid move as she walked by to stroke it all the way down.
She shivered all over and mewed very softly. "Zoro! What the hell!"
"Sorry." He shrugged as she stumbled into the cabins, blushing and awkward. "What's everyone looking at me like that for?"
-
"All right, iced tea for everyone. And for the ladies ..." Sanji set three glasses aside near them. "Special fruit garnishes, as well."
"Oooh!" Nami grabbed one. "These are great! Just what I needed."
Robin took one and nodded to Elly, who hesitated, sniffing delicately at the top, where a green sprig was curling out from the fruit kabob.
"Is that?" She blinked. "Um. I really shouldn't..."
"Oh my god. Just enjoy yourself for once!" The orange-haired young woman thrust it at her.
She bit her lip and sipped cautiously so as to shut her up. Her eyes grew wide, and her ears perked as she did. Minutes later she had finished the whole thing and eaten the fruit, as well as chewed the green sprig of plant.
Zoro was laying nearby under his favorite tree with the glass raised to his lips. She pounced, landing on top of him with her tail lashing in the air. Tea splashed directly into his face.
"What the hell, cat!" He jumped in astonishment, juggling cat lady and tea in two hands.
She said nothing and licked the spilled drink off his cheek. His eye twitched and he slowly set the glass down.
"Ohhh. It had <i>mint</i> in it." Nami blinked at the one she held in her hand. "I guess she should have been more careful."
"No <i>way</i>. You saw what she did to that drunk ass at the last tavern, right? Tore his face damn clean off!"
"She did?!" Chopper's eyes grew huge.
"Yeah, she said nobody touches it!"
Ussopp mimed pulling his skin off from the cheek. "And then he went like this - "
"Eww, gross!" The little reindeer squealed.
"What're you idiots talking about." Zoro stomped over from the tree where he had been napping. "You're too loud."
"Oh. Uh... " They stared at each other, then grinned mischievously. "We were daring each other to go touch her tail."
Elly stood up straight and yawned. She shook herself and headed back inside.
"Is <i>that</i> all? What's the big deal about that?" He raised an eyebrow and reached out in one fluid move as she walked by to stroke it all the way down.
She shivered all over and mewed very softly. "Zoro! What the hell!"
"Sorry." He shrugged as she stumbled into the cabins, blushing and awkward. "What's everyone looking at me like that for?"
-
"All right, iced tea for everyone. And for the ladies ..." Sanji set three glasses aside near them. "Special fruit garnishes, as well."
"Oooh!" Nami grabbed one. "These are great! Just what I needed."
Robin took one and nodded to Elly, who hesitated, sniffing delicately at the top, where a green sprig was curling out from the fruit kabob.
"Is that?" She blinked. "Um. I really shouldn't..."
"Oh my god. Just enjoy yourself for once!" The orange-haired young woman thrust it at her.
She bit her lip and sipped cautiously so as to shut her up. Her eyes grew wide, and her ears perked as she did. Minutes later she had finished the whole thing and eaten the fruit, as well as chewed the green sprig of plant.
Zoro was laying nearby under his favorite tree with the glass raised to his lips. She pounced, landing on top of him with her tail lashing in the air. Tea splashed directly into his face.
"What the hell, cat!" He jumped in astonishment, juggling cat lady and tea in two hands.
She said nothing and licked the spilled drink off his cheek. His eye twitched and he slowly set the glass down.
"Ohhh. It had <i>mint</i> in it." Nami blinked at the one she held in her hand. "I guess she should have been more careful."
Tuesday, July 9, 2019
Moy Mell: 36
Aizawa banged his forehead heavily on his desk. It was already proving to be a difficult day and it was only six in the morning.
"Ugh..."
His laptop chimed as an email came through and he tiredly raised his head to click it open. Still no updates from any of the researchers that were looking into the mysterious anti-demon cult. He was glad no one had attacked Elly since that terrible night, but not thrilled that he couldn't find out who the hell these people were, or what exactly they wanted. They were still out there, and all he knew was that she was their target.
"Hey." A coffee cup was pushed across towards his hand. He reached out and grasped it as it came near.
"Thanks."
"Still no leads, huh?" Chris sat down in the chair opposite him and leaned back.
"No. It's like the earth swallowed them whole, which might be what happened for all I know. No paper trail," he waved a hand at an empty file on his desk, "No internet presence as far as we can see, either. Since they employed demonic forces for their own gain, so we might never find them."
"They need to find us, then."
"Thought of that," he said, taking a large swallow of coffee without tasting it. "How could we control a meeting? We don't know what exactly they want so it would be hard to provoke them."
"Yeah." He shook his head. "Don't know, Aizawa. We just have to keep trying."
"Yes." He glanced at the time and pushed his chair back, standing and absently adjusting his capture thread around his neck. "Time for breakfast. Ches gets upset when I'm late."
"Sounds like things are going good there, at least," Chris called out mildly as his boss left.
Elly was on her phone in the kitchen, texting someone when he walked in. Her ears flicked, indicating she knew he was there. Aizawa said nothing and sat down next to her, and after a moment she sighed, set the phone down and looked up.
"Good morning."
He nodded cautiously. "Sleep well?"
Sanji was frying two small fish along some rice for their breakfast. He also didn't speak and her guardian grew more nervous.
"I slept okay. I guess." She seemed distracted and when her phone buzzed again, groaned and grabbed it quickly. "I'll be right back, guys."
The blond cook leaned over the counter and tapped him on the arm when her tail disappeared down the hall. Aizawa glanced quickly up, eyes narrowing. "Trouble?"
"You know her best friend - the succubus? Bella?"
"Of her, yes. Not personally."
He reached into his shirt pocket and took out his vape pen. "She, ah ... they've been texting. A lot. She doesn't normally do that around us but this morning, well." He took a long drag. By the looks of it, it wasn't as satisfying as he craved and he glared at the thin silver tube.
"Yes. That was her?"
He nodded, stuffing the pen back with a grunt. "It's not bad, it's just odd. Hard core girlfriend chats usually mean a guy, you know?"
"Perhaps the succubus recruited another harem member." Aizawa shrugged.
The guys were right; Elly wasn't one to text in front of them. Not a lot, anyway, and especially not during a meal. But her friend had asked what was up, and it felt good to talk to her.
Elly: It was so weird. Zoro came by last night.
Bella: Uh oh girl
Elly: He said he wanted to apologize but then he was mean to Shota!
Bella: Course he was. Both of them saw me that day & neither reacted
Elly: Uh
Bella: Yeah. Both of them are in love with you.
Elly: WHAT
Bella: I'm a succubus, Els. I know lust and love very, very well. The green one was madly in love with you for like, ages
Elly: ...
Bella: The black haired one was new, but he still had very strong feelings. Otherwise he'd have launched himself at me.
Elly: Like Sanji, you mean?
Bella: That perv loves you too and you know it. Men usually can't help it around me. But when they ignore me it's different.
Elly: ...
Bella: I'm sorry. Shoulda told you earlier but I didn't want to mess around in that. Love's hard enough.
Elly: Bella?
Bella: Yeah? You ok?
Elly: Shota gave me another nickname last night. After I got really angry at Zoro and almost clawed his face off. He was happy I stood up for him
Bella: Ooohh dish dish dish
Elly: it's kind of embarrassing
Bella: Screw that! Inquiring minds wanna know!
Elly: LOL! He called me "my queen"
Bella: Oooooo sassy! I like it
Elly: He also kind of uh
Elly: ...
Elly: He name bound a promise to me a few days ago. That we wouldn't be apart
Bella: Hot shit! You've got a live one! FINALLY! Go get you some!
Elly: BELLA!!!
Bella: You KNOW you ain't had sex in so many years you probably forgot how. That's not healthy. You even stopped getting heats, and I know it hurts
Elly: Okay, he's been here for a bit now I really have to go ttyl
She walked over and grinned nervously at both men. "'Sup?"
Aizawa motioned for her to sit on her stool. "Is your friend okay?"
"Oh, um.." Elly groaned when the phone buzzed in a flurry of new messages. Bella had sent multiple texts.
Bella: Hit
Bella: That
Bella: Shit
Was followed by another series of one word texts. It read:
Bella: Tap
Bella: That
Bella: Ass
She turned her phone off for now. "She's doing great," she sighed. "Too good, if you ask me."
"Ugh..."
His laptop chimed as an email came through and he tiredly raised his head to click it open. Still no updates from any of the researchers that were looking into the mysterious anti-demon cult. He was glad no one had attacked Elly since that terrible night, but not thrilled that he couldn't find out who the hell these people were, or what exactly they wanted. They were still out there, and all he knew was that she was their target.
"Hey." A coffee cup was pushed across towards his hand. He reached out and grasped it as it came near.
"Thanks."
"Still no leads, huh?" Chris sat down in the chair opposite him and leaned back.
"No. It's like the earth swallowed them whole, which might be what happened for all I know. No paper trail," he waved a hand at an empty file on his desk, "No internet presence as far as we can see, either. Since they employed demonic forces for their own gain, so we might never find them."
"They need to find us, then."
"Thought of that," he said, taking a large swallow of coffee without tasting it. "How could we control a meeting? We don't know what exactly they want so it would be hard to provoke them."
"Yeah." He shook his head. "Don't know, Aizawa. We just have to keep trying."
"Yes." He glanced at the time and pushed his chair back, standing and absently adjusting his capture thread around his neck. "Time for breakfast. Ches gets upset when I'm late."
"Sounds like things are going good there, at least," Chris called out mildly as his boss left.
Elly was on her phone in the kitchen, texting someone when he walked in. Her ears flicked, indicating she knew he was there. Aizawa said nothing and sat down next to her, and after a moment she sighed, set the phone down and looked up.
"Good morning."
He nodded cautiously. "Sleep well?"
Sanji was frying two small fish along some rice for their breakfast. He also didn't speak and her guardian grew more nervous.
"I slept okay. I guess." She seemed distracted and when her phone buzzed again, groaned and grabbed it quickly. "I'll be right back, guys."
The blond cook leaned over the counter and tapped him on the arm when her tail disappeared down the hall. Aizawa glanced quickly up, eyes narrowing. "Trouble?"
"You know her best friend - the succubus? Bella?"
"Of her, yes. Not personally."
He reached into his shirt pocket and took out his vape pen. "She, ah ... they've been texting. A lot. She doesn't normally do that around us but this morning, well." He took a long drag. By the looks of it, it wasn't as satisfying as he craved and he glared at the thin silver tube.
"Yes. That was her?"
He nodded, stuffing the pen back with a grunt. "It's not bad, it's just odd. Hard core girlfriend chats usually mean a guy, you know?"
"Perhaps the succubus recruited another harem member." Aizawa shrugged.
The guys were right; Elly wasn't one to text in front of them. Not a lot, anyway, and especially not during a meal. But her friend had asked what was up, and it felt good to talk to her.
Elly: It was so weird. Zoro came by last night.
Bella: Uh oh girl
Elly: He said he wanted to apologize but then he was mean to Shota!
Bella: Course he was. Both of them saw me that day & neither reacted
Elly: Uh
Bella: Yeah. Both of them are in love with you.
Elly: WHAT
Bella: I'm a succubus, Els. I know lust and love very, very well. The green one was madly in love with you for like, ages
Elly: ...
Bella: The black haired one was new, but he still had very strong feelings. Otherwise he'd have launched himself at me.
Elly: Like Sanji, you mean?
Bella: That perv loves you too and you know it. Men usually can't help it around me. But when they ignore me it's different.
Elly: ...
Bella: I'm sorry. Shoulda told you earlier but I didn't want to mess around in that. Love's hard enough.
Elly: Bella?
Bella: Yeah? You ok?
Elly: Shota gave me another nickname last night. After I got really angry at Zoro and almost clawed his face off. He was happy I stood up for him
Bella: Ooohh dish dish dish
Elly: it's kind of embarrassing
Bella: Screw that! Inquiring minds wanna know!
Elly: LOL! He called me "my queen"
Bella: Oooooo sassy! I like it
Elly: He also kind of uh
Elly: ...
Elly: He name bound a promise to me a few days ago. That we wouldn't be apart
Bella: Hot shit! You've got a live one! FINALLY! Go get you some!
Elly: BELLA!!!
Bella: You KNOW you ain't had sex in so many years you probably forgot how. That's not healthy. You even stopped getting heats, and I know it hurts
Elly: Okay, he's been here for a bit now I really have to go ttyl
She walked over and grinned nervously at both men. "'Sup?"
Aizawa motioned for her to sit on her stool. "Is your friend okay?"
"Oh, um.." Elly groaned when the phone buzzed in a flurry of new messages. Bella had sent multiple texts.
Bella: Hit
Bella: That
Bella: Shit
Was followed by another series of one word texts. It read:
Bella: Tap
Bella: That
Bella: Ass
She turned her phone off for now. "She's doing great," she sighed. "Too good, if you ask me."
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